NEWPORT County AFC manager Justin Edinburgh praised his defence and returning goalkeeper Lenny Pidgeley after his side beat Severnside rivals Bristol Rovers 1-0 at Rodney Parade.

It was the Exiles first clean sheet of the season and was enough to earn them a second league win after Andy Sandell's penalty in the 42nd minute.

"I thought the performance again was very good. We’re acquitting ourselves very well in this division," said Edinburgh.

"There were some outstanding performances. We were obviously boosted by the return of Lenny Pidgeley but I thought Tom Naylor, Andrew Hughes and Harry Worley – probably one of the youngest back threes in the division – were immense.

"It can be easy to get caught up in the occasion and lose sight of the game but I thought they were superb.

"They showed great composure, restricted Bristol to very few chances and we probably could have won by more."

Edinburgh believes that Rodney Parade is becoming a fortress for his side in League Two after the opening day 4-1 demolition of Accrington Stanley two weeks ago.

"We went at them early and when we do get a goal up here it is very difficult for anyone to come back," he said.

"Whenever you’re involved in a derby you know how much it means to the fans and we are very happy to have won it.

"I think it could be very tough for teams to come here and get anything. It’s a tough place to come and we’re delighted to get back-to-back victories at Rodney Parade."